05. Document setup and layout tools

For tactile graphics, the image size has a big influence on tactile usability. TactileView provides several options to control both design and paper size for optimal tactile quality.

Multiple sheets of paper
The maximum size of paper that printers generally can handle is A4, A3, US Letter or Tabloid. However, diagrams can be larger than the maximum paper size when an image needs to be enlarged to retain the level of detail in the original image. Multiple sheets can be placed in rows and or columns to allow for tactile diagrams of any large size. The red paper border will indicate the size of the design and the number of sheets.

See also: Paper size vs. design size.

Amount of details in a tactile diagram
On one hand, the level of detail that can be presented in a tactile graphic is limited due the discriminatory capabilities of the fingertips. On the other hand, the relatively large size of braille dots and the minimal required distance in between dots also limit how much detail can be included.

The larger the design therefore, the more detail can be retained when printed with an embosser. This will help to control the complexity of the designs.

Figure 1. This image shows the shape of a fern branch, but might not contain sufficient tactile detail in the leaves. A separate image could be used to display leaf details.

Images as large as possible
Although there is a limitation to the size of an image, it is best practice to use as much of the paper as possible. Matching the design orientation to the dimensions of the tactile graphic (i.e. using landscape for wide images and portrait for higher ones) allows for optimal positioning on the paper. Rotating from landscape to portrait or vice versa may give a 30% larger image, which greatly improves the tactile usability.

Figure 2. By choosing the right orientation, the image can be shown larger, maintaining more detail.

When changing the design orientation, the image will not be scaled. This way, the size and position of the elements in your design will not change and details will not be lost. However, the design will automatically be extended with extra white space or trimmed of excess empty white space in order to fit the new paper orientation.

It is best to think about the optimal size of the tactile diagram before starting the design: a higher level of detail will require a larger design size. Adjustments in size can always be made later by scaling the design with the purple markers around the edge. However, text labels have a fixed size. By scaling the image they might overlap the image or may end up too far from the elements in the drawing that they refer to.

Figure 1. Drag the purple markers to enlarge or reduce the design size.

Figure 2. Drag the blue marker in the bottom right corner to scale the design.

‘Page formatting’ icon:
‘Change the orientation to landscape’ icon:
‘Change the orientation to portrait’ icon:

If the image contents fits within a single sheet of paper in the new page orientation, the excess white space will be trimmed in one direction, and added in the other. For example, when changing from portrait to landscape format, the white space on the bottom of the page will be trimmed and the design is widened. This change in page orientation is always reversible later on.

Figure 1. The contents will fit on a single sheet (red border) after changing the page orientation; the white space at the bottom will be trimmed, the right side will be extended.

If on the other hand the original design would not fit within a single page in the new orientation, the design is automatically extended in both directions to fit on two pages. This change is also reversible.

Figure 2. The contents of the design will only fit on two pages (red borders); the white space ate the bottom and right side will be extended to fit the design across both pages.

The maximum paper size that printers generally can handle is A4, A3, US Letter or Tabloid. However, diagrams can be larger than the maximum paper size when an image needs to be enlarged to retain the level of detail in the original image. Multiple sheets can be placed in rows and or columns to allow for tactile diagrams of any large size.

In your designs, the red paper border will indicate the size of the design and the number of sheets. Drag the purple markers on the edges of the design to add or remove white space in order to use more surface area for your design. Note that this only adds or removes a strip along the edge of the design, but does not scale (enlarge or reduce) the design contents in this direction. The blue marker in the bottom right corner can be used to scale the entire design.

Figure 1. The map is printed across two sheets of paper side to side in order to include sufficient detail.

By resizing the design, adding/removing space within the design or changing the paper orientation, it might become wider or higher than a full sheet of paper (i.e. the white space extends beyond the red border of the paper). If this excess strip does not contain design contents, it will be trimmed automatically when the file is printed. If on the other hand the design is smaller than a full page (i.e. does not reach completely to the red border), the page will be filled out by adding white space.

The graphic capabilities for tactile images differ for each individual production medium. Swellpaper has different properties than an embossed image, and each braille printer will differ in dot shape and placement.

‘Design mode: dot view’ in the second horizontal toolbar is used to display the specific graphic properties of the selected output medium. With dot view selected, the dots are continuously repositioned to match the printed outputs as you add to your design. This functions like a ‘live print preview’ in which you can directly edit your design and see the final output at the same time.

If you want to see the line drawing that the embossed image is based on or that is printed on swellpaper, simply go back to ‘Design mode: line view’.

Figure 1. The difference between displaying a design in line view (left) and dot view (right).